Staff was asked to arrive a week early for orientation and training.
Some could arrive even sooner, but often the camp cooks arrived
during that training week. For all of my years, Chief, Bill, and
Bruce were lucky to have the same primary cooks…Grace and Mary were
cooks from college fraternity houses in North Carolina. The head
cook for Chief did change when Bill took over for one year but this
head cook remained throughout Bruce’s tenure. He was awesome, but a
little temperamental. Since my wife, Ginger, was the dietitian,
however, she could disarm him every time with her sweet nature!

Clearly, all cabin assignments for counselors and all their program
appointments were done prior to the staff arriving. When we first
got into camp, we went directly to our assigned cabin and we were
responsible for getting it ready for opening day. In addition, all
staff had to have their program areas ready for showing on opening
day. Thus the orientation schedule was pretty tight. We usually
worked our tails off!

Counselors are handed the personal profiles of their campers when
they arrive and are expected to study each parent’s description of
their child. These profiles included responses about what the
parents would like to see their son achieve or gain while at camp,
observations of current needs and weaknesses, personality
descriptions, wishes for particular activities, special interests
offered at camp, special dietary needs, special religious requests
(i.e. attend Catholic Mass or Jewish Synagogue) . We took notes and
were held accountable by the program director and Tribal Leaders for
accommodating the parent’s wishes. We learned then that we were to
write weekly letters to parents showing what activities the camper
participated in and what progress he was making in interpersonal
relationships or in activity achievements.

Precamp orientation topics covered included: first day orientation
and tax-form stuff, met by Tribal Leaders, and then work in the
assigned program area. The first morning started with a camp tour,
followed by an explanation of the job description of a camp
counselor. After dinner on the first full day, we saw the Camp Movie
and promotional material shown to the public, the Program Director
handled the introductions, and the Director took over to discuss his
philosophy of camping and of what Sequoyah really is (building the
total person). After a question and answer period, we had a social
and just had a good time.

Each morning of orientation, just like the daily camp routine, we
started with Morning Watch in the council ring. This was a 20 minute
quiet time with some guided reading or reading of the Bible (with
suggested scriptures for young people). Some just sat and
reflected…truth be told, some probably finished their nap. But it
started the day off right! On Sunday, we had a Chapel service and
during my tenure I usually did that opening service with a special
topic called “Kissing Frogs”.

During the orientation, each program area and its entire staff met
with the Director and Program Director to discuss expectations,
safety, working with children, etc. During these days we experienced
examples of evening programs like Friendship Councils (Sunday night
activity), fun councils (just a fun-filled campfire program), etc.
In extra time we mowed grass, trimmed trees, picked up limbs and
trash, cleaned up the grounds, repaired steps, etc. We had business
sessions with the staff that included: Nurse comments about safety
and daily health reports from counselors, Store manager comments,
Director minutes, Dietitian comments, quartermaster rules, how
transportation works, how days off works, and how opening day
procedures will work.

Chief did not assume anything! He did not assume that campers or
staff were already gentlemen and knew manners…that was one of the
jobs of the summer camp. Regarding table manners…at a first meal or
so, Chief went through in detail exactly how to enter the dining
hall, how to set a table, how to hold a fork and knife, how to ask
for food (we ate family style where bowls of food were placed at the
table), the counselor’s role at the table was that of the dad at
home. He taught staff how to sit up straight, how to sing the prayer
for each meal, how to discipline ill-mannered boys at the table.
Family style meant that we ate together, we talked together, and we
did everything together. It was great. Parents were so impressed
when their boys got home and acted like gentlemen! Chief expected
his staff to teach boys how be real men…not like those on TV. He
spent time telling boys and staff what a real man did, what was
expected of him, and what he was on the inside. That’s what we spend
our summers doing…living lives worthy of emulation by the boys in
our charge; and following up with them during the winter.

At the end of orientation, we all went on a “cabin supper” together
completing every step that cabin counselors were expected to do to
teach their campers. How to use poncho’s, how to build fires even in
the rain, what to do on trips, first aid, etc. The last night of
orientation was a night off…away from camp…but with a curfew getting
ready for opening day. Pop did a lot of this kind of stuff. He also
showed how and where to hike. A knowledgeable staffer always went on
the first hike to a site to show us the way. After that, we were on
our own. Now we have GIS!

Believe it or not, Chief had two wonderful sex talks prepared. One
for counselors during orientation and one for mid- to older campers
during each session. They were frank but entertaining ‘father-son’
talks that boys and young men needed to hear. I did some of those in
my later years. That may not be “politically correct” these days,
but they were really awesome and carefully done, and still
desperately needed.

During this orientation week we had free swim, we played volleyball,
we had softball games, and we just had a good time because we really
worked hard the rest of the time.

Camp Session

Opening day was great. As families drove up, they were greeted by
Chief or Bruce, campers were introduced, the Program Director
checked off the just-arrived camper, the counselor was called to the
parking lot to meet the camper, parents went to the business office
to finalize their stuff, then to the infirmary if necessary, then to
the boy’s cabin, and then a camp tour by those boys who were old
campers…or who knew their way around if the counselor was
unavailable.

The younger campers lived in Junior Camp and were the Chickasaw
Tribe. These were boys mostly 7-10 y/o with five campers to
one counselor.

Senior Camp was divided into four tribes with boys aged 11-17 y/o:

Cherokee – boys
11-12 (most were 11 y/o) in the rising to the 5th and 6th grade.

Cabin groups in Chief’s
years had 7 campers and one counselor. Because of cost constraints,
Bruce went to 8 campers and one counselor. The positive influence of
the cabin counselor on the campers in his cabin and under his
leadership was the driving force for Sequoyah’s magic…as with any
camp.

Tribal leaders were members of the administrative staff and had
supervisory responsibility over the cabin counselors and the program
staff, including heads of the activity departments. The tribal
concept was critical since it served as a unified program unit,
allowed for relatively small numbers of campers to engage in equal
activities or special age-related activities, and provided a more
efficient and effective administrative mechanism for staff.

Memorable
experiences

Some things about
Sequoyah were just unforgettable and contributed to long-term
memories by everyone. Just saying these words or names brings back
floods of memories for every single camper and staff member. In my
opinion, these are the things that you should give careful
consideration to and try to recreate some or all for the new era of
camper.

Morning watch - 20-30 minutes of quiet time in the council
ring every morning except Sunday. It was essentially Time Spent
Alone. All could read inspirational things. Absolutely no talking
allowed. Went from Morning Watch directly to breakfast.

Tribal hike – once a week, an all day hike that usually
begins and ends in camp. To places like Bald Knob, Craggy Pinnacle,
Court House Knob, Lane Pinnacle, Richland Knob, Rich Knob, Carter
Creek Falls, Potato Field Gap, and others.

Cabin supper – cabin overnight, all cabins in a tribe goes on
a specified day. Multiday overnight can be arranged easily as skills
increase.

Chapel service/ Inspiration Point – Sunday morning in camp.
Catholic kids were taken to Mass if their parents wanted. Campers
and staff wore “whites” to chapel. White shorts, white shirt could
be Sequoyah T-shirt or white shirt of any kind. The beautiful view
is now mostly overgrown but I’d clear it out in a heartbeat. I think
Chief would want the view for himself and Mrs. Chief.

Friendship Council – a tribal inspirational campfire on
Sunday evenings at the Tribal Council Ring. Each tribe had its own
special Tribal Council Ring, individualized and very special place.

Fun Council or Tribal Night – could be a fun campfire program
in the tribal council ring or could be a huge game played over the
whole camp property. Mainly just a tribal activity as determined by
the creative Tribal Leaders.

Cabin cleanup – the winner in each tribe won the Coup Stick
at their steps for the day.
Rest hour - these speak for themselves. Not much napping but good
interaction time.

Cabin night – a cabin activity led by the counselor doing
whatever and occurred on the evening of the tribal hike.

Cabin Devotions – bedtime devotionals led by the Cabin
Counselor. Non-denominational life lessons from today’s camp
experience or from inspirational stories. Could develop into short
discussions with a moral.

Special trips – took tribes to Sliding Rock; Cherokee and
"Unto These Hills"; Biltmore House and Gardens; Mountain Dance and
Folk Festival in Asheville; Dance or party with a girls camp for the
older boys;

Track and Field Meet – each session had a big variety-filled
game day that could serve as a birthday party for everyone who had
birthdays during camp.

Movie night – at least one Saturday night was a movie night
in the lodge for everyone. Also came in handy on extended rainy
nights. Mostly saw nature movies, i.e. Disney, but now there are
some really good ones on DVD for this era of kids.

Closing Ceremony – Right after the closing banquet - Awesome
closing night ceremony where all campers and staff have made their
own candleholder from natural materials. Giant circle on the
athletic field after marching out of the dining hall with candles
lit. Sing a closing song. Candleholder and candle relit every
Christmas eve.

Old Sequoyan Club – a service organization where campers and
staff officially become alumni. During induction ceremony, campers
and staff move from station to station to receive the 6-8 classic
lessons underlying the philosophy of “A Camp With a Purpose”…which
is Growth as a Person (mind, body, and spirit). This could be
reinstituted immediately as an electronic communication tool, you
could create a tax-exempt organization, dues and donations were
always given back to the community somehow.

Iroquois shower – This was simply the name for the waterfall
under the dam. Very pretty place, ice cold water, and a great place
to run through…with or without clothes.

Skinny dipping – a definite right of every boy to feel
exhilarating, free, and safe swimming nude. Might not be looked upon
with favor any more but most feel it should never have been taken
away from our childhood. Shame on us adults!

Evolution rock – There is a large rock on the left side of
the road on the way up to Tsali. This rock actually had most of the
species of ferns that grew in North Carolina…even the rare walking
fern. Climbers almost destroyed it. Don’t know how it is right now.

Camp cooking – In the early years under Chief, we taught
wilderness cooking expertise and had 2-3 day outings of Sourduff’s
(beginners) and Sourdoughs (real cooking experts). Woodcraft skills
were a must and most boys became expert woodsmen.

The Thunderbird – the official camp newsletter that went out
to all alumni 2-3 times a year.

The Hobachee – the weekly agenda for camp activities posted
throughout camp.

“Mama letters” –
weekly letters from counselors to parents on the progress of their
son at camp and describing his activities and his personal growth.
Letters were all reviewed by Tribal Leaders and others prior to
sending.

The corn roast - Wow! Hundreds of ears of fresh, unshucked
corn, soaked in the creek for 2-3 hours, huge hardwood fire built on
huge flat roasting rock in camp, sweep coals from the rock and place
the wet corn on the rock and cover with tarp…turn once. Melt butter
in #10 cans, grill hamburgers or hotdogs nearby, pull shucks back
and dip in butter. Pig out!

Grand Council – a major production of Indian Lore complete
with full paint, painted council ring, Chief/Bruce/Director
escorting all of camp into the ring, authentic Sioux ceremonies,
dances, games, stories, etc. You need an expert in Indian Lore to
teach the crafts and lore of Native Americans and do it
appropriately. That is where we learned most of our American
woodcraft from anyway. Very attractive program for campers and
staff.

Cabin plaques – on their first day, boys are instructed in
pocket knife safety and are told never to carve anything into the
wood in their cabin. That is what cabin plaques are for…and they
essentially last forever. They were woodburned or carved.

No electricity – This may no longer be up to code, but it was
a rite of passage for boys to live together for a summer with only a
lantern in their cabin for light. No electricity. No complaints.

The Half – another item that probably will not make code.
Since everyone probably had a different name for a bathroom, at camp
we called them “halves”. Cabins were numbered consecutively starting
behind Hoffman Cabin (the library). When it got to a bathroom, it
was numbered with a ½ …i.e. Cabin 7, 8, 8 ½, 9 … where the half (8
½) was the bathroom. Everyone called it the same thing. We had no
hot water in the halves…only sinks with cold water and toilets. The
shower had wonderful HOT water. New codes may make you put a bath
and shower in each cabin…hope not. There were several halves
throughout the campgrounds.

The lone telephone – There was one public telephone on
the grounds…an old phone booth on the office porch. Boys could not
use the phone without a counselor waiting outside, nor could there
be any contact with parents or home until after the first week. Most
homesickness had come and gone by then. There had to be a real need
to give permission for a camper to call home.

Tsali – too much to talk about here. At the top of the
mountain, this was the wilderness adventure guys…the tough guys who
could do anything. They were giants in the eyes of campers. They
built their own cabins over the years, built the Adirondack whose
view first drew me to Sequoyah. You can do some really magic things
with that part of the property…as you walk up through Mustard Flats.
Steve Longnecker was famous for his daily morning run to Tsali,
taking with him myriads of campers bent on keeping up with Steve…and
with each other.

Tripping – Bruce Capps and Steve Longnecker introduced more
out-of-camp adventure tripping into camp when they took over. They
wanted boys out of camp on trips as much as possible…or as much as
campers wanted. Once skills were learned (usually after 3-4 weeks of
instruction, or after a 2nd summer of instruction), extended 3-5 day
canoe trips, kayaking, horseback riding, climbing, backpacking,
camping were all going on. Often at the same time. This was
incredibly popular with kids. Others learned detailed in-camp
skills.

Staff – campers all remember their counselor as their friend
and mentor. Someone they could trust and someone who treated them
with respect and valued them regardless of their age. There was
never anything wrong with hugs, pats, or appropriate gestures when
the right time came. One-on-one conversations and quiet interactions
between camper and counselor in this pristine setting was a lifelong
influence…usually for both. The summer emphasis was on interpersonal
relationships built between the staff and the camper and the
friendship bonds solidified among cabin mates and friends.

The Director was usually seen as supervisor or boss by the staff and
a father figure and icon by the campers. That probably won’t change.
But Chief made a point to tell every staffer personally how
interested he was in them and in everything they did.